The Great Arch 2025
In 1983 Paris, the political and architectural worlds collide when French President François Mitterrand launches an unprecedented international competition to design a monumental arch that will symbolize his socialist vision.
Director: Stéphane Demoustier
Cast
Claes Bang
Johan Otto von Spreckelsen
Xavier Dolan
Jean-Louis Subilon
Swann Arlaud
Paul Andreu
Sidse Babett Knudsen
Liv von Spreckelsen
Michel Fau
François Mitterrand
Jean des Forêts
Alain Juppé
Micha Lescot
Leloup
Alessandro Bressanello
Marble man
Ilaria Cabras
Marble man's daughter
Viilbjørk Malling Agger
Architect student
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Great Arch (2025) about?
*The Great Arch* follows the unexpected rise of Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, a Danish architecture teacher whose modest career takes a dramatic turn when he wins France's most prestigious design competition in 1983. The film delves into the high-stakes world of Mitterrand's socialist France, where political ambition and artistic vision collide to create a landmark that will define a nation.
Who directed The Great Arch?
Stéphane Demoustier helms *The Great Arch*, bringing a sharp eye for character-driven drama and historical tension to this underdog story.
Who stars in The Great Arch?
The film features Claes Bang as Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, Xavier Dolan as a rival architect, and Swann Arlaud and Sidse Babett Knudsen in pivotal roles alongside Michel Fau and Jean des Forêts.
Is The Great Arch (2025) worth watching?
As a historical drama rooted in real events, *The Great Arch* offers a compelling blend of artistic passion and political intrigue. While it hasn't yet earned an IMDb rating, its themes of ambition and legacy, paired with a stellar cast and Demoustier's assured direction, make it a promising watch for fans of thoughtful, character-driven cinema.
How long is The Great Arch?
The runtime for *The Great Arch* is 104 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About The Great Arch (2025) — A Danish architect's wild triumph over Paris' monumental challenge
In 1983 Paris, the political and architectural worlds collide when French President François Mitterrand launches an unprecedented international competition to design a monumental arch that will symbolize his socialist vision. Against all odds, the winner emerges as Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, a quietly brilliant Danish architect whose modest portfolio—four small buildings and three unassuming chapels—belies a revolutionary imagination. Stéphane Demoustier's *The Great Arch (2025)* weaves a riveting drama around ambition, history, and the clash between tradition and modernity, set against the backdrop of France's boldest cultural project of the era.
With Claes Bang delivering a quietly commanding performance as the unassuming winner, and Xavier Dolan anchoring the competitive frenzy as a rival architect, the film captures the tension of creative rivalry and the weight of legacy. Swann Arlaud and Sidse Babett Knudsen round out a stellar cast, embodying the bureaucratic muscle and aesthetic ideals that shape—or sabotage—von Spreckelsen's vision. A contemplative yet gripping tale, *The Great Arch* explores how artistry can emerge from obscurity and how the grandest monuments are often built on fragile human decisions.
